Toll for the application of predetermined torque to bolts, nuts and the like

Abstract

A tool for the application of selected torque to the polygonal head of a bolt, to a nut or to an analogous component has a first portion which is a snug fit on the polygonal part of the component, and a polygonal second portion which can be engaged and rotated by a wrench. The material of the tool is more readily deformable than the material of the component and the material of the wrench so that the wrench deforms the second portion and/or the component deforms the first portion of the tool when the component offers a selected resistance to further rotation, i.e., in response to the application of a selected torque to the component. The first portion can be bonded or molded to the torque-receiving part of the component to be rotated, and the second portion can be coated with a film of a color different from that of the second portion to facilitate visual determination of the condition of the second portion. The tool can be provided with a third portion which can be used for the application of a different torque, or the second portion can be deformed in two or more stages to permit the application of torque in several stages or to permit the application of one of two or more different torques.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A torquing tool for applying a predetermined torque to bolts, nuts and analogous rotary components of the type having a non-circular torque receiving part which exhibits a first resistance to deformation, comprising a torque-transmitting first portion substantially complementary to and engageable with the torque-receiving part of a component; and a non-circular torque-receiving second portion engageable by a complementary torque-transmitting part of a wrench which latter exhibits a second resistance to deformation, said second portion being arranged to transmit torque to said first portion and at least one of said portions having an at least partially polygonal cross-sectional outline and including at least one facet and at least one edge adjacent said at least one facet, said at least one portion exhibiting a third resistance to deformation which is less than said first and second resistances so that, when the wrench rotates the second portion to apply torque to a component by way of said first portion, said at least one portion undergoes deformation in the region of said at least one edge and ceases to transmit torque when the component begins to offer a predetermined resistance to rotation. 
     
     
       2. The tool of claim 1, wherein said first portion is configurated to be form-lockingly connected with the torque-receiving part of a component. 
     
     
       3. The tool of claim 1, wherein said second portion is configurated to be form-lockingly connected with the torque-transmitting part of a wrench. 
     
     
       4. The tool of claim 1, wherein said at least one portion includes a plurality of facets and a plurality of edges alternating with said facets, said at least one portion undergoing deformation in the regions of at least two of said edges when the component offers said predetermined resistance to rotation. 
     
     
       5. The tool of claim 1 for applying predetermined torque to components with a torque-receiving part having a slot for the working end of a screwdriver, wherein said first portion includes a socket having an internal projection which enters the slot when the torque-receiving part of a component is received in said socket. 
     
     
       6. The tool of claim 1, wherein said first portion is dimensioned to be a press fit on the torque-receiving part of the component. 
     
     
       7. The tool of claim 1, further comprising means for securing said first portion to the torque-receiving part of a component. 
     
     
       8. The tool of claim 7, wherein said securing means is an adhesive. 
     
     
       9. The tool of claim 1, wherein said second portion has an external surface provided with at least one projection which is frictionally engageable by the torque-transmitting part of a wrench. 
     
     
       10. The tool of claim 1, wherein at least said at least one portion consists of a plastic material. 
     
     
       11. The tool of claim 1, wherein at least said at least one portion consists of a metallic material. 
     
     
       12. The tool of claim 11, wherein at least said at least one form consists of cast metal. 
     
     
       13. The tool of claim 1, further comprising means for facilitating visual determination of deformation of said at least one portion. 
     
     
       14. A torquing tool for applying a predetermined torque to bolts, nuts and analogous rotary components of the type having a non-circular torque receiving part which exhibits a first resistance to deformation, comprising a torque-transmitting first portion substantially complementary to and engageable with the torque-receiving part of a component; and a non-circular torque-receiving second portion having an external surface engageable by a complementary torque-transmitting part of a wrench which latter exhibits a second resistance to deformation, said external surface having at least one protuberance and said second portion being arranged to transmit torque to said first portion, at least one of said portions exhibiting a third resistance to deformation which is less than said first and second resistances so that, when the wrench rotates the second portion to apply torque to a component by way of said first portion, said at least one portion undergoes deformation and ceases to transmit torque when the component begins to offer a predetermined resistance to rotation, said at least one protuberance being separated from said second portion when the component offers said predetermined resistance to rotation while the torque-transmitting part of a wrench engages said external surface and applies torque to said second portion. 
     
     
       15. The tool of claim 14, wherein said surface has a plurality of facets and edges alternating with said facets, a protuberance being provided at each of said edges. 
     
     
       16. The tool of claim 14, further comprising a non-circular torque-receiving third portion adjacent and arranged to transmit torque to said second portion, said third portion being engageable by a complementary torque-transmitting part of a wrench to rotate said second portion and said third portion exhibiting a fourth resistance to deformation such that said third portion undergoes deformation when the component which is engaged by the first portion begins to offer to rotation a second resistance which at most equals said predetermined resistance. 
     
     
       17. The tool of claim 16, wherein said third portion becomes separated from said first and second portions when the component which is engaged by said first portion offers said second resistance to rotation. 
     
     
       18. A torquing tool for applying a predetermined torque to bolts, nuts and analogous rotary components of the type having a non-circular torque receiving part which exhibits a first resistance to deformation, comprising a torque transmitting first portion substantially complementary to and engageable with the torque-receiving part of a component; a non-circular torque-receiving second portion engageable by a complementary torque-transmitting part of a wrench which latter exhibits a second resistance to deformation, said second portion being arranged to transmit torque to said first portion and at least one of said portions exhibiting a third resistance to deformation which is less than said first and second resistances so that, when the wrench rotates the second portion to apply torque to a component by way of said first portion, said at least one portion undergoes deformation and ceases to transmit torque when the component begins to offer a predetermined resistance to rotation; and a non-circular torque-receiving third portion adjacent and arranged to transmit torque to said first and second portions, said third portion being engageable by a complementary torque-transmitting part of a wrench to rotate said first and second portions and said third portion exhibiting a fourth resistance to deformation such that said third portion undergoes deformation when the component which is engaged by the first portion begins to offer to rotation a second resistance which at most equals said predetermined resistance. 
     
     
       19. A torquing tool for applying a predetermined torque to bolts, nuts and analogous rotary components of the type having a non-circular torque receiving part which exhibits a first resistance to deformation, comprising a torque transmitting first portion substantially complementary to and engageable with the torque-receiving part of a component; a non-circular torque-receiving second portion engageable by a complementary torque-transmitting part of a wrench which latter exhibits a second resistance to deformation, said second portion being arranged to transmit torque to said first portion and at least one of said portions exhibiting a third resistance to deformation which is less than said first and second resistances so that, when the wrench rotates the second portion to apply torque to a component by way of said first portion, said at least one portion undergoes deformation and ceases to transmit torque when the component begins to offer a predetermined resistance to rotation, said at least one portion having a first color; and a film of a second color overlying said at least one portion, said film being at least partially removed in response to deformation of said at least one portion to expose said first color.